Cookies

We want you to get the most out of using this website, which is why we and our partners use cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to receive these cookies. You can find out more about how we use cookies here.

Barrow road closure to protect late night revellers

A TRIAL to close the hub of Barrow’s nightlife to traffic at night times on weekends and bank holidays is to start by the end of next month.

Cavendish Street has become the busiest part of Barrow on Friday and particularly Saturday nights.

The late night closure of the street at weekends was agreed to last September following fears revellers could be involved in collisions with cars.

But Councillor Bill McEwan, chairman of the Barrow Highways Advisory Sub Group which was consulted on the proposal, said it was time a pilot – scheduled to be tested for six months – was put into action.

He told the Barrow local committee meeting of Cumbria County Council on Tuesday: “We made this decision in September. It was agreed, so we need to get moving.

“ It doesn’t seem to be moving, so I would like to see something done on it.”

The county council’s acting highways network manager for the Barrow area, Keiron Tetchner, replied: “I don’t see any reason why the experiment can’t be up and running by the end of February.”

Nick Raymond, the county council’s highways officer in Furness, said: “We will come back to you in the next week with a clear update on when that will take place.”

Road signs will signal the closure of the road from the junction of Cavendish Street and Dalkeith Street up to Dalton Road.

Police held talks with Barrow Borough Council and Cumbria County Council over the closure.

Inspector Mike O’Hagan previously said: “We’re putting this measure in place to keep the people of Barrow and its visitors safe on a night out. This is a measure that can be found in other towns and cities and we believe it is long overdue.”

Have your say

Yes it does seem sensible.Let's look a little closer though.It'd not only "revellers" who benefit here. It's the town centre licensed premises that profit by feeding them so much alcohol they cannot be relied on to look after themselves. It's the late night food outlets that can now have queues right across the street.Who loses ? The residents who will now have a meeting place for drunks in their midst, not a thoroughfare. The cops who now have a fixed site to police instead of transient problems.I can't see the litter, vomit or urine reducing by this measure.And the whole bill for this being met by us taxpayers. Cui Bono Barrow Council ?

Posted by Barrow Tax Payer on
24 January 2014 at 09:53

i guess the revilers will have too walk for a taxi which will bring a whole new ball game to the picture ie cue jumping fighting over a cab a mass of drubken ppl in one part of a street what fun